22 February 2012
The Superman-The Movie gallery has been updated! Click here! Featured below is a portrait of Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, and director Richard Donner and crew in Gallup, New Mexico, June 1978, filming scenes for Superman-The Movie. Donner is shown using an Arriflex camera on Universal Studios’ revolutionary “Shaker Mount” camera system, which mimicked the effects of an earthquake by moving the entire camera body several inches side to side, versus merely shaking the camera lens. It was originally made for the movie “Earthquake” in 1974.
17 February 2012
CapedWonder™.com has confirmed with Original Prop Blog that this Superman IV costume being auctioned at Julien’s Auctions is indeed authentic. It will not include boots or belt. The consignor apparently worked on the film. He also wore and, unfortunately, machine washed, the costume a few times. Stay tuned for more photos. Visit Julien’s Auctions website for more information.
16 February 2012
“Mr. Reeve knew from the age of 12 that he wanted to be an actor. “Friends would say to me, ‘You don’t want him to go into that, it’s awful.’ But, my response would be, ‘I could no more stop him than I could stop a rainstorm.’ He was determined.” – Christopher Reeve, an Actor and Activist Among New Jersey Hall of Fame Inductees. Read more here.
15 February 2012
The CapedWonder™ Facebook page has been updated with imagery and important information about the Superman The Motion Picture Anthology Blu-ray box set and individual title Blu-ray releases from Germany, Latin America, France, Spain, Poland and Japan. Go there now!
09 February 2012 [UPDATED]
Ramón Casares has shot more wonderful photos of the Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman figure. They feature hands from the Thor and Bruce Lee HT figures. Way to go Ramón! Be sure to take a look at his HT gallery to see even more photos. Enjoy!
08 February 2012
Happy 80th Birthday John Williams! Thank you, John, for your gift of music that made Christopher Reeve S O A R as our Man of Steel! Check out this website! And listen to John’s isolated Fortress of Solitude sound track from the TV broadcasts (without pauses), prepared by Alex Serpa.
07 February 2012
Remember 9-year-old Wade Murphy and his mom, Devra, who wrote to me recently? They attended the 1994 Atlanta Dixie Trek Convention and met Christopher Reeve and Noel Neill (see the 05 January post below). Here’s a newly “discovered” photo of Chris and Wade that Devra was kind enough to send me. I scanned her original camera negative and restored the scan yesterday. Unfortunately, it appears that the point-and-shoot camera likely focused on Wade’s face, and Chris Reeve moved slightly during the exposure, so Chris’ face ended up looking rather out-of-focus, but I was able to work around it fairly well anyway. Below shows the before (left) and after. Enjoy!
04 February 2012
In September 2011, Pedro Bodega attended the Phenomena Experience showing of Superman-The Movie and The Spy Who Loved Me at the Urgel Cinema in Barcelona, Spain. Pedro met special guest Pierre Spengler at the event and had him autograph some Superman items. Visit his friend’s webpage about the event here, and visit Pedro’s gallery (with some nice image contributions and links) on the CapedWonder™ Facebook page here. It looked like a fun time for all! Thank you for sharing Pedro!
31 January 2012
Here’s a completely original and unique marketing piece by Viral marketing agency Thinkmodo for the upcoming Chronicle film (opening February 3rd), featuring three flying people in New York City (not Zod, Ursa or Non this time!). I actually like this video better than the movie trailer.
Did you know that Somewhere in Time co-star Jane Seymour had twins in 1995? Their names are Kristopher and Johnny, named after Christopher Reeve and Johnny Cash. Kris is pictured on the right wearing the Superman shirt. Jane’s husband is director James Keach, brother of actor Stacy Keach.
Hadley Kay, young Jason who was rescued by Superman in Superman II, wrote me this very nice e-mail last night and has agreed to write a story for CapedWonder™.com about his experience filming in Niagara Falls and Pinewood Studios…stay tuned!
“Hi there Jim!
I really enjoyed having a look around your website. It’s amazing how connected and passionate fans around the world are for the Superman franchise, and I found this out firsthand when I was a guest this past summer at FanExpo 2011 Toronto. I was humbled by the fans who shared such great enthusiasm for my role in the movie.
I’ve always been proud to have been one of the few who was saved by Superman. As for Christopher Reeve himself, I am even more proud to have known the man, as I did. We spent 6 weeks filming my plummet in to Niagara Falls. Only one week was filmed in Niagara. The remaining 5 weeks were filmed at Pinewood Studios in London, England. Special effects not being as advanced as they are today, Christopher and I were suspended up in the air every day for weeks as the filmmakers perfected the look of what is such a seemingly quick moment. Being a young kid, Christopher was always the first one to call out “Hadley needs a break”, “let’s get him some lunch”, etc. I never forgot how mindful he was of me, and everyone around him, and I took those lessons to heart. He was a friend, and a true gentleman.
Best wishes to you!
Hadley”
30 January 2012
It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s…TNI’s 2011 Toy Of The Year – Hot Toys 1/6th Scale Christopher Reeve Superman (thanks to Martin Lakin for the heads up). Check out Ramón Casares’ excellent Hot Toys gallery here.
Martin Lakin’s SUPERMANIA blog has four impressive posts, so be sure to check them out soon! Far East Finds…, A Dynamic Duo…, Vivid, Memorable And Real… and Rarity Of Rarities…
“I, Richard Lester, Challenge Thee” – a great new article by Dharmesh Chauhan of Superman CINEMA Archives.
A NIAGARA NOTE: When the Man of steel ruled the Niagara sky. The young actor who was rescued by Superman in the Niagara Falls scene is Hadley Kay. Check out his impressive website here.
Christopher Reeve Selected to N.J. Hall of Fame, His Mother Is Grateful for Town’s Support.
Lois Lane–Environmental Superhero!
18 January 2012
DigitalBits.com has said it best and we at CapedWonder™.com concur 100%: “As writers and artists ourselves, The Digital Bits supports protection of copyright. But we oppose excessive and overreaching attempts to control or censor information on (and access to) the Internet by powerful lobbies, well-funded interests and government. We aren’t “blacking out” the site today, but we encourage you all to learn more about the issues and take a stand to keep the Internet free.”
If you’ve never visited Original Prop Blog’s Superman movie costume pages, this is the place to start. Make time to read everything. It’s important.
This past weekend, I spent a few hours with the masters at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging discussing the great Blu-ray restoration work being done on their vast movie library. Stay tuned for photos and an interview soon! I also spent some quality time with Ilya Salkind, John Haymes Newton (Superboy) and James Calvert (T.J. White) at their ‘Superboy’ TV series (season one) reunion held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It was a fun time being with them and with Superboy aficionados Rennie Cowan and Sam Rizzo. All fine folks indeed! Later, I took Ilya, Rennie, Sam and my good friend Aaron Smolinski (Baby Superman from Superman-The Movie) to dinner where we shared some enlightening and fun conversation for a few hours. Ilya is quite the storyteller! Below are photos taken at both Christopher Reeve’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Superboy reunion. Enjoy!
11 January 2012
Here’s a new unreleased photo of Christopher Reeve and Ned Beatty on the Lex Luthor lair set in Superman-The Movie. From the CapedWonder™ Collection.
And below are a high-def screenshot of the Kent farm as it appeared in Superman-The Movie in August 1977 and a photo of me photographing the farm as it looks today. See more “Return To Smallville” photos here.
07 January 2012
Here’s a favorite in my Superman movie collection. It’s a TOPPS gum card #45 autographed by the man himself, Christopher Reeve! Do you have a Superman movie autograph you’d like to share? Contact me here.
07 January 2012
Below is one of my favorite portraits of Christopher Reeve, shot in 1996. Check out scans of Chris’ Time article here.
06 January 2012
Here’s a 1600×1200 wallpaper from the new CapedWonder™ video opener created by Julian Adderley.
05 January 2012
I was very pleasantly surprised when I received this letter recently from Devra Murphy who attended the 1994 Atlanta Dixie Trek Convention with Christopher Reeve and Noel Neill. The letter and photo made me smile! More photos from the convention are here.
“Dear Mr. Bowers,
It wasn’t until three years ago that I discovered the picture of my son and me [on your website] from the 1994 Superman Convention in Atlanta. The experience of that day is hard to put into words as it meant so much to me as a fan from the original TV series and Christopher’s Superman movies and as a mom of a young fan of Christopher’s movies.
When Noel Neill began to ask for volunteers (I don’t recall knowing what we were volunteering for) I immediately grabbed Wade’s hand and we were asked to be on stage to read Superman and Lois Lane’s lines from an original script. The entire experience was and still is surreal to me and I can only imagine how it was for my son who had recently turned nine. My husband and I had divorced around that time and Christopher Reeve served as a role model throughout Wade’s young life. I can’t think of a better one.
I’ve attached a photo of the young fan today and of our Christmas tree on which you’ll notice Superman ornaments. We continue to love the story of Superman and Christopher Reeve will always live in our hearts.
Thank you for preserving one of life’s precious moments.
Devra Murphy”
01 January 2012
We hope you have a wonderful and safe New Year, and that 2012 brings nothing but the best to you and your family and friends. We also just want to say how much we appreciate all of you who visit CapedWonder™.com often. Without you, we wouldn’t still be going strong! March 28, 2012 is our 10th Anniversary, which is just one reason why we’re so excited about the New Year! Cheers, and Happy New Year!
My Life as a Mankiewicz: An Insider’s Journey through Hollywood — Release date May 21, 2012
The son of famed director and screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve [1950], Guys and Dolls [1955], Cleopatra [1963]) and the nephew of Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz was genuine Hollywood royalty. He grew up in Beverly Hills and New York, spent summers on his dad’s film sets, had his first drink with Humphrey Bogart, dined with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, went to the theater with Ava Gardner, and traveled the world writing for Brando, Sinatra, and Connery. Although his family connections led him to show business, Tom “Mank” Mankiewicz forged a career of his own, becoming a renowned screenwriter, director, and producer of acclaimed films and television shows. He wrote screenplays for three James Bond films — Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) — and made his directorial debut with the hit TV series Hart to Hart (1979–1984). My Life as a Mankiewicz is a fascinating look at the life of an individual whose creativity and work ethic established him as a member of the Hollywood writing elite. Read more here.
Hi! from Russia thank you very much for your work and materials provided!
Hey Jim
Greetings from Ireland
I am a life long Superman fan , I was 9 yrs old when my Dad took me to Superman the Movie in 1978, all I can say is WOW!!! what an awesome site this is , I’m just blown away, amazing job.
Thanks
Noel
Thank you for the kind words Noel!
Jim Bowers
Editor
Hello!
Best regards from Romania. You are doing a very good job. I’m a fan Superman from 1990 when I saw it for the first time ( the movie from 1978 of course).
I’ll return with new comments!
Thank you, Marius, for your support!